Tentative plans are being made to implement a "multi-level" insurance package for the Island's soccer players in the wake of several early season injuries sustained on the pitch.

The announcement was made yesterday by Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden, who noted that in the last week alone four players had required hospital treatment.

Mussenden said the BFA had proposed to affiliates a flexible insurance policy which would compensate players in the event of them getting hurt while playing. He said such a policy would be costly and would therefore require a greater input from the Island's clubs.

"We recognise the importance of supporting the players and making sure that they are not losing out at any level which is why we examined having a flexible insurance policy," said Mussenden. "And we hope that the clubs will be able to provide the necessary information so that we can get it in place for the protection of the players.

"This was an initiative that we started last season and we are still working towards getting that information together because it will certainly benefit the players. But, of course, it does cost money."

Last weekend during a First Division clash at Southampton Oval between Southampton Rangers and Ireland Rangers, the home side lost captain Jason Raynor with a broken ankle after he was tackled by the visitors' Jonathan Bean.

During Tuesday night's Martonmere Cup action at Devonshire Rec., three other players were added to the casualty list - North Village's Kevin Jennings, Dandy Town's Kingsley Mundy and Somerset Trojans' Dion Stovell.

Stovell was involved in a nasty head-on collision in the early stages of the match with Mundy.

Trojans `keeper Timmy Figuerido also took a blow to the head during Somerset's 3-2 win over Town when he was floored by an onrushing Kevin Hurdle, but he is expected to be in Somerset's squad for tomorrow's clash with current League and FA Cup champions Village at Bernard Park.

When contacted yesterday, Village president Sherwin Dill said that Jennings had suffered bruised ribs after colliding with a post and was released from the hospital later the same night.

"He had some badly bruised ribs but thankfully nothing was broken," said Dill. "Jennings is now on pain killers and it doesn't seem likely that he will be back anytime soon as bruised ribs take some time to heal."

Trojans' Stovell suffered concussion but was released on Tuesday night after undergoing x-rays. He is expected to be out for several matches.

Somerset captain Karl Roberts, missing on Tuesday, is also still out, nursing a hamstring injury along with striker Rohaan Simons.

"Dion took a nasty knock and suffered a concussion. He went to the doctor yesterday and we are now waiting to hear from his family. But we certainly won't risk playing him until we get the clearance from his doctor," said Somerset assistant coach Paul Scope.

As for Figuerido, Scope added: "Timmy took a knock as well. He was involved in a collision with Kevin Hurdle as well so we had two players who suffered blows to the head. He was out training Thursday night but we kept him away from the scrimmaging because at the moment we only have the one goalkeeper."

Mundy reportedly suffered a sprained ankle.

Weekend preview on Page 18.